The Hijra to Medina
🕌 The Hijra to Medina — The Beginning of a New Era
﴿ If you do not help him, Allah has already helped him when those who disbelieved expelled him, the second of two. When they were in the cave, he said to his companion: "Do not grieve, for Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with soldiers you did not see ﴾
— Surah At-Tawba, verse 40
📍 Prelude — Preparing for the Hijra
After thirteen years of preaching in Mecca, after Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj, a new phase was beginning. Medina (Yathrib) awaited the light coming from Mecca.
🤝 The First Pledge of Aqaba (621)
The First Meeting
During the pilgrimage season, the Prophet ﷺ met six men from the Khazraj tribe of Yathrib:
📜 The Scene:
The Prophet ﷺ sat with these men at Al-Aqaba. They listened to his words, and he recited Quran to them. They looked at each other and said:
"By Allah, this is the prophet the Jews have been threatening us with! Let us not let them get to him before us!"
They believed in him and returned to Yathrib as preachers of Islam.
The First Pledge of Aqaba (12 men)
The following year, twelve men from Yathrib came and pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ on:
| Article | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not to associate anything with Allah | Pure monotheism |
| Not to steal | Protection of property |
| Not to commit adultery | Protection of honor |
| Not to kill our children | Prohibition of infanticide |
| Not to slander | Prohibition of lying |
| Not to disobey in what is good | Obedience in virtue |
💬 This is called "the Pledge of Women" because it did not include fighting.
The Prophet ﷺ sent with them Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr to teach them Islam — the first ambassador of Islam!
🤝 The Second Pledge of Aqaba (622)
The Great Delegation
The following year, a huge delegation came from Yathrib:
| Number | Details |
|---|---|
| 73 men | From the Aws and Khazraj |
| 2 women | Nusayba bint Ka'b and Asma bint 'Amr |
| Location | Al-Aqaba, at night, in secret |
| Time | The days of Tashriq |
The Content of the Pledge
📜 The Scene:
In the darkness of night, the Ansar crept to Al-Aqaba. The Prophet ﷺ came accompanied by his uncle Al-Abbas (who was not yet Muslim but wanted to protect his nephew).
Al-Abbas said: "O assembly of Khazraj! Muhammad is from us as you know, and we have protected him from his people. He enjoys honor among his people and protection in his land. Yet he has insisted on joining you. If you think you can fulfill your promises to him and protect him from his adversaries, then assume what you have taken upon yourselves. But if you think you will surrender him and abandon him after he comes to you, then leave him now!"
Al-Bara ibn Ma'rur — the eldest among them — stood and said:
"Accept our pledge, O Messenger of Allah! By Allah, we are people of war and people of arms, we inherited this from generation to generation!"
The Conditions of the Pledge
They pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ on:
| Condition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Listening and obeying | In energy and fatigue |
| Spending | In hardship and ease |
| Enjoining good and forbidding evil | Constant preaching |
| Standing for Allah | Without fearing anyone's blame |
| Supporting the Prophet ﷺ | As they defend their women and children |
💬 The Prophet ﷺ said: "I give you my pledge that you will protect me as you protect your women and children"
Al-Bara took his hand and said: "Yes! By the One who sent you with truth as a prophet, we will protect you as we protect our families! Accept our pledge, O Messenger of Allah, we are sons of war!"
The Twelve Representatives
The Prophet ﷺ chose twelve representatives — guarantors for their people:
| From Khazraj (9) | From Aws (3) |
|---|---|
| As'ad ibn Zurara | Usayd ibn Hudayr |
| Sa'd ibn ar-Rabi' | Sa'd ibn Khaythama |
| Abdullah ibn Rawaha | Rifa'a ibn 'Abd al-Mundhir |
| Al-Bara ibn Ma'rur | |
| Abdullah ibn 'Amr | |
| 'Ubada ibn as-Samit | |
| Sa'd ibn 'Ubada | |
| Al-Mundhir ibn 'Amr | |
| Rafi' ibn Malik |
💬 The Prophet ﷺ told them: "You are the guarantors for your people as the disciples were for 'Isa son of Maryam, and I am the guarantor for my people"
🚶 The Beginning of the Hijra
Permission to Migrate
After the pledge, the Prophet ﷺ permitted the Muslims to migrate to Medina:
💬 He ﷺ said: "I have been shown your land of emigration: a land of palm trees between two volcanic tracts" — the two Harras (black basaltic lands)
The Muslims began leaving secretly, individually and in groups, leaving behind their homes and wealth.
The First Emigrants
| Companion | His Story |
|---|---|
| Abu Salama | The first to emigrate, separated from his wife and son |
| Suhayb ar-Rumi | Left all his wealth to Quraysh to be allowed to leave |
| 'Umar ibn al-Khattab | Emigrated openly, defying Quraysh |
| 'Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi'a | Was deceived and brought back to Mecca in chains |
📜 Suhayb's Story:
When Suhayb wanted to emigrate, Quraysh said to him: "You came to us poor and insignificant, your wealth grew among us, you reached what you reached, and now you want to leave with your wealth and your life?! By Allah, that will not happen!"
Suhayb said: "What if I gave you my wealth, would you let me go?"
They said: "Yes!"
He told them where all his wealth was hidden and left.
When the news reached the Prophet ﷺ, he said: "Suhayb has profited! Suhayb has profited!"
🗡️ Quraysh's Plot to Kill the Prophet ﷺ
The Meeting at Dar an-Nadwa
When Quraysh saw that the Muslims were emigrating, they feared that Muhammad ﷺ would join them and become stronger. They gathered at Dar an-Nadwa to deliberate:
📜 The Scene:
The chiefs of Quraysh sat to discuss:
— One of them: Let us imprison him in a house and seal the exits until he dies!
— Iblis (in the form of an elderly man from Najd): No! His companions will come and free him!— Another: Let us expel him from our land and banish him!
— Iblis: No! Haven't you seen the sweetness of his speech? He will go to others and rally them against you!— Abu Jahl: I propose that we take from each tribe a strong young man, give each one a sharp sword, then they go to him and strike him as one man, killing him! Thus his blood will be dispersed among the tribes, and Banu 'Abd Manaf will not be able to fight all of Quraysh, so they will accept blood money!
— Iblis: This is the plan! There is no other!
The Revelation Descends
Allah revealed to His Prophet ﷺ their plot:
﴿ And when those who disbelieved plotted against you to imprison you, or kill you, or expel you. They plot and Allah plots, and Allah is the best of planners ﴾
— Surah Al-Anfal, verse 30
And he was permitted to emigrate.
🌙 The Night of the Hijra
'Ali in the Prophet's ﷺ Bed
📜 The Scene:
That blessed night, the Prophet ﷺ came to Abu Bakr's house at an unusual hour — at noon.
Abu Bakr said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ does not come at this hour except for an important matter!"
The Prophet ﷺ entered and said: "Send out those who are with you"
Abu Bakr said: "They are only my two daughters, O Messenger of Allah!" ('Aisha and Asma)
He ﷺ said: "Do you know that I have been given permission to leave?"
Abu Bakr said: "Companionship, O Messenger of Allah!"
He ﷺ said: "Companionship"
Abu Bakr wept from joy! 'Aisha said: "By Allah, I never knew before that day that anyone could weep from joy until I saw Abu Bakr weeping that day!"
The Young Men Surround the House
📜 The Scene:
Young men from every tribe gathered around the Prophet's ﷺ house, swords drawn, waiting for him to come out so they could strike him as one.
The Prophet ﷺ ordered 'Ali رضي الله عنه to sleep in his bed and cover himself with his green cloak.
He told him: "Sleep in my bed and cover yourself with my green Hadrami cloak. Sleep in it, for nothing you dislike will reach you from them"
The Miraculous Exit
📜 The Scene:
The Prophet ﷺ came out of his house while the men waited at his door. He took a handful of dust and threw it on their heads while reciting:
﴿ And We have put a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them so they cannot see ﴾
He passed among them and they did not see him! Allah took away their sight!
They kept waiting until morning. When the sun rose, 'Ali got up from the bed!
They shouted: "Where is Muhammad?!"
'Ali said: "Was I his keeper?! You told him to leave, so he left!"
🕳️ The Cave of Thawr — Three Days of Miracles
The Path to the Cave
📜 The Scene:
The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr walked southward — in the opposite direction of Medina — toward Mount Thawr. Abu Bakr walked sometimes in front of him, sometimes behind him.
The Prophet ﷺ asked him: "What is the matter with you, O Abu Bakr?"
He said: "I think of the pursuers and walk behind you, then I think of ambushers and walk in front of you!"
When they reached the cave, Abu Bakr said: "Stay here, O Messenger of Allah, until I check the cave for you"
He entered first and examined every crack and hole, plugging some with pieces of his garment, then he permitted the Prophet ﷺ to enter.
The Pursuit
Quraysh announced a huge reward:
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| 100 camels | For whoever brings Muhammad dead or alive |
| 100 camels | For whoever brings Abu Bakr dead or alive |
Quraysh's horsemen set out in every direction searching for them...
At the Cave Entrance
📜 The Scene:
The polytheists reached the entrance of the cave! Abu Bakr was trembling. He looked and saw their feet!
He whispered: "O Messenger of Allah! If one of them looked under his feet, he would see us!"
The Prophet ﷺ said with complete serenity: "O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two whose third is Allah?"
The Three Miracles
Allah sent soldiers to protect His Prophet:
| Miracle | Details |
|---|---|
| 🕷️ The Spider | Wove its web at the cave entrance |
| 🕊️ The Dove | Laid its eggs in a nest at the entrance |
| 🌳 The Tree | A tree grew to conceal the entrance |
📜 The Scene:
One of them looked at the cave and said: "There is nothing in this cave! Look at the spider web at its entrance! By Allah, it was woven before Muhammad was even born!"
And they left!
The Secret Support Team
Throughout the three days, a team served the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr:
| Member | Mission |
|---|---|
| 'Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr | Brought news from Quraysh at night |
| Asma bint Abi Bakr | Brought food and water |
| 'Amir ibn Fuhayra | Shepherd, erased footprints with the flock |
| 'Abdullah ibn Urayqit | The guide (a polytheist but trustworthy) |
🐪 The Journey to Medina
The Beginning of the Journey
After three days, the pursuit had calmed. 'Abdullah ibn Urayqit came with two riding camels, and they set out at night via the coastal route.
Suraqa ibn Malik
📜 The Scene:
When Suraqa ibn Malik heard about the reward, he mounted his horse and followed their tracks. When he got close to them, Abu Bakr said: "The pursuers have caught up with us, O Messenger of Allah!"
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not grieve, Allah is with us"
The Prophet ﷺ supplicated against him, and his horse's legs sank into the ground up to its belly!
Suraqa cried out: "O Muhammad! I know this is your doing! Invoke Allah to deliver me from what has befallen me, and I promise you I will turn back those who pursue you!"
The Prophet ﷺ invoked for him and his horse was freed.
The Bracelets of Chosroes
📜 The Scene:
When Suraqa was saved, he asked the Prophet ﷺ for a written guarantee of safety. Abu Bakr wrote it for him on a piece of leather.
Then the Prophet ﷺ said to Suraqa: "How will you be, O Suraqa, when you wear the bracelets of Chosroes?!"
Suraqa was amazed: Chosroes son of Hormuz, the king of Persia?!
Years later, during the caliphate of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, Persia was conquered and the treasures of Chosroes were brought. 'Umar summoned Suraqa and made him wear the bracelets and crown of Chosroes! The Prophet's ﷺ promise had come true!
Umm Ma'bad al-Khuza'iyya
📜 The Scene:
On the way, they passed by the tent of Umm Ma'bad al-Khuza'iyya. She was a courageous woman who offered food and drink to travelers. But the drought had decimated her flock.
They asked her for food or drink, and she apologized: "If we had anything, you would not need to ask for hospitality!"
The Prophet ﷺ saw a thin sheep in a corner of the tent and said: "What is this sheep, O Umm Ma'bad?"
She said: "A sheep that fatigue has left behind from the flock"
He said: "Does it have any milk?"
She said: "It is too weak for that!"
He said: "Will you allow me to milk it?"
She said: "By my father and mother! If you see it has milk, then milk it!"
He stroked its udder with his noble hand, pronounced the name of Allah, and milk flowed! He milked and filled a large container, gave her to drink until she was satisfied, then gave his companions to drink, then drank last, then milked again and left the container for her!
Umm Ma'bad's Description of the Prophet ﷺ
When her husband Abu Ma'bad returned, he saw the milk and was amazed! He asked her and she told him. He said: Describe him to me!
She said — in the most beautiful description of the Prophet ﷺ:
"I saw a man of radiant purity, luminous face, fine form, not marred by corpulence nor diminished by thinness. Handsome and well-proportioned, with intensely black eyes, long eyelashes, a slightly husky voice, an elongated neck, a thick beard. Arched and joined eyebrows, when silent he inspires reverence, when speaking he radiates majesty. The most beautiful of people and most radiant from afar, the sweetest and finest from close up. Sweet of speech, neither brief nor verbose, like threaded pearls flowing down. Of medium height, neither too tall for the eye nor too short to be overlooked. A branch between two branches, he is the most splendid of the three and the noblest in worth. He has companions who surround him: when he speaks they listen, when he commands they hasten. Served and attended, neither frowning nor faultfinding."
Abu Ma'bad said: "This, by Allah, is the man of Quraysh they are searching for!"
🌟 The Arrival at Quba
The First Point of Arrival
On Monday 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal, Year 1 H (September 24, 622), the Prophet ﷺ reached Quba — a village south of Medina.
📜 The Scene:
The Ansar went out every day to the Harra to wait. When the heat became intense, they would return. That day, they had returned disappointed.
A Jewish man climbed onto a fort to watch his affairs, and he saw the Prophet ﷺ approaching in white clothes!
He shouted at the top of his voice: "O Banu Qayla! Here is your ancestor whom you have been waiting for!"
The people came out proclaiming "Allahu Akbar" and jubilating!
The Mosque of Quba
The Prophet ﷺ stayed at Quba for fourteen days and founded the first mosque in Islam — the Mosque of Quba:
﴿ A mosque founded on piety from the first day is more worthy that you stand in it. In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves ﴾
— Surah At-Tawba, verse 108
🎉 The Entry into Medina
The Historic Friday
On Friday 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal, the Prophet ﷺ set out from Quba toward the heart of Medina.
📜 The Scene:
On the way, the time for Friday prayer arrived at Banu Salim ibn 'Awf. He dismounted and prayed with them — the first Jumu'a in Islam!
The Legendary Welcome
📜 The Scene:
The people of Medina came out, men, women, and children. Boys and servants climbed onto the rooftops, all singing:
🎵 Tala'a al-badru 'alayna 🎵
(The full moon has risen upon us)
Min thaniyyatil wada'
(From the farewell passes)
Wajaba ash-shukru 'alayna
(Gratitude is incumbent upon us)
Ma da'a lillahi da'
(As long as one calls upon Allah)🎵 Ayyuha al-mab'uthu fina 🎵
(O you who have been sent among us)
Ji'ta bil-amri al-muta'
(You came with the obeyed command)
Ji'ta sharrafta al-Madina
(You came and honored Medina)
Marhaban ya khayra da'
(Welcome, O best of callers)
Where to Stay?
📜 The Scene:
Every clan of the Ansar wanted the Prophet ﷺ to stay with them. Each time he passed by a group, they would seize the bridle of his camel:
"Come to us! We have numbers, equipment, and protection!"
He ﷺ would say: "Let her go, she is guided"
The camel walked until it knelt on a date-drying ground belonging to two orphans from Banu Najjar.
The Blessed Place
The camel knelt, then stood up, then returned and knelt at the same spot and turned around! The Prophet ﷺ dismounted.
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari رضي الله عنه came and carried the Prophet's ﷺ luggage to his house. The Prophet ﷺ stayed on the lower floor first.
💬 The Prophet ﷺ said: "A man is with his luggage"
📊 Summary of the Journey
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| The night of departure | 'Ali in the bed, exit among the swords |
| The Cave of Thawr | 3 days, the spider and the dove |
| Suraqa | The pursuit, the bracelets of Chosroes |
| Umm Ma'bad | The miracle of the milk, the beautiful description |
| Quba | First mosque, 14 days |
| Medina | The welcome, the first Jumu'a |
🎯 Lessons and Teachings
1. 🤝 Planning and Trust in Allah
The Hijra was a combination of meticulous planning (the guide, the food, erasing the tracks) and trust in Allah.
2. 💪 Sacrifice for Allah
The Muhajirin left their homes, their wealth, and their families for their religion.
3. 💚 The Brotherhood of Faith
The Ansar welcomed their Muhajirin brothers, housed them, and shared their wealth with them.
4. 🌟 Allah's Support for the Believers
The spider and the dove, Suraqa's horse sinking — Allah supports those who support Him.
5. 📅 The Beginning of the Islamic Calendar
The Hijra is the beginning of the Hijri calendar — the greatest event in the history of Islam.
🌅 Conclusion
﴿ Do not grieve, for Allah is with us ﴾
With these immortal words, a new era began. Islam moved from the stage of weakness to the stage of empowerment. From oppressive Mecca to Medina the Illuminated — the abode of emigration and support.
Here, in this pure city, the first complete Islamic society would be built, and the greatest pages of human history would be written.
In the next lesson: Building the Mosque and the Brotherhood between the Muhajirin and Ansar... 🕌